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Category: Paralympics

Cheryl Angelelli takes silver in 100m freestyle at Paralympics

Metro Detroiter Cheryl Angelelli earned the U.S. Paralympic team's first medal of the 2008 Beijing Games, a silver in the 100 meter freestyle Sunday.

Angelelli was ranked No. 1 going into the event, but competitor Nely Miranda of Mexico dropped 7 seconds off her usual time and grabbed the gold.

"I swam a time of 1:50.2, which is a lifetime best time for me (I dropped 3 seconds)," Angelelli said in an e-mail to friends and family. "So I feel good knowing that I gave it everything I could and I have no regrets. ... Also on a positive note, my first 50 split of the 100 was also a lifetime best time. I swim the 50 free on Sept. 15 and right now I am seeded fourth, but if I swim the time I did today, I have a chance of getting on the medal podium. Unfortunately, the girl from Mexico who beat me today is also swimming the 50 free. But it will be a new day and a new race."

Angelelli said she was nervous before her swim until she spotted her husband, Shawn Kornoelje, in the stands. "Then I knew I was going to be OK," she said. "After my race I went up into the spectator area to see him and show him the medal I had around my neck and as soon as I hit the general public area I was mobbed by Chinese people wanting their picture with me and my medal and asking for autographs."

Universal Sport TV is broadcasting the games and Angelelli's Sept. 15 race (the 50 meter free) will be broadcast live. For more information, go to paralympics.teamusa.org.

Good luck Cheryl!